A recent study, known as the OHTS (Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study), showed that early treatment of patients who have high eye pressure reduces the risk of vision loss. The study also showed that patients with thinner corneas have higher pressures than those measured in the ophthalmologist’s office, and may constitute a large portion of the patients with normal–tension glaucoma. These findings have made corneal pachymetry (measurement of the thickness of the cornea) a routine part of a glaucoma examination.
The most common type of glaucoma, open–angle glaucoma, develops gradually and is largely symptomless. The patient will not notice any change in vision until the end stage of the disease when most vision is gone. Early detection of glaucoma is therefore crucial to preventing optic nerve damage and resulting vision loss. Regular eye examinations are necessary, especially for those with risk factors, including people over age 60, people with diabetes, people with a family history of glaucoma, blacks and Hispanics.
If detected and treated early, vision can often be saved. But lifetime monitoring and treatments are required.
Types and differences of glaucoma
